What is Wi-Fi 7?

Wireless connectivity is a cornerstone of everyday life, shaping how we interact, work, and entertain ourselves. Wi-Fi technology has continually evolved to meet the escalating demands of modern digital lifestyles. The latest in this evolution, Wi-Fi 7, can redefine wireless experiences with enhanced speed, lower latency, and more. Here, we explore what Wi-Fi 7 is, how it stands out from its predecessors, and which Surface devices support it.

What are the benefits of Wi-Fi 7?

Wi-Fi 7 is superior to older, more common Wi-Fi standards such as Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E. Wi-Fi 7 comes with advanced benefits and key features. Let’s explore the key advantages of Wi-Fi 7.

Enhanced speed

A major highlight of Wi-Fi 7 is its significantly increased speed compared to previous versions. Wi-Fi 7 offers the fastest wireless connection available and more efficient bandwidth. This speed boost is thanks to better methods of managing data and handling more data at once. This means Wi-Fi 7 can easily manage demanding online activities so you can enjoy freeze-free video calls, super smooth cloud gaming, and more.

Lower latency

Latency, the delay before data begins to transfer following an instruction, is crucial for applications where timing is everything, such as online gaming or video calls. Wi-Fi 7 reduces latency significantly, thanks to its utilization of improved technologies such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO). MLO enables devices to use multiple frequencies at once, ensuring a more reliable and consistent connection with reduced delays.

Increased capacity

As multiple devices per household become the norm, from smart home gadgets to multiple streaming devices, the need for a Wi-Fi network that can handle numerous connections simultaneously grows. Wi-Fi 7 addresses this by expanding its capacity, allowing more devices to connect efficiently without degrading the network performance. This is crucial in our increasingly connected world where so many devices, from refrigerators to doorbells, demand internet access.

Improved MU-MIMO

Multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO) isn't new technology, but Wi-Fi 7 makes it even better by handling more data streams at once. Think of it like this: A Wi-Fi router can talk to several gadgets, like phones, laptops, and TVs, simultaneously instead of having to wait its turn for each one. With Wi-Fi 7, this tech gets a big upgrade, which means it can send data more efficiently and handle a lot more information moving through your network at the same time.

OFDMA improvements

Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), a longstanding technology, has been significantly improved thanks to Wi-Fi 7. Here’s how it works: It takes a Wi-Fi channel and breaks it into smaller parts, kind of like splitting a cake into slices. This way, one signal can send data to many devices all at once, instead of one at a time. This means more devices can talk over Wi-Fi without having to wait for their turn, making everything much quicker and more efficient. This is particularly beneficial in environments such as smart homes or offices, where numerous devices require simultaneous connections.

Which Surface devices support Wi-Fi 7?

Surface Laptop 7ᵗʰ Edition and Surface Pro 11ᵗʰ Edition both support Wi-Fi 7.¹ This allows you to surf the web—among other things—even faster on these AI-powered devices. If you’re looking for a stylish laptop with a smart CPU (central processing unit) and exceptionally powerful NPU (neural processing unit), Surface Laptop 7ᵗʰ Edition is right for you. But if you’re looking for an AI-powered 2-in-1 device that you can turn into a tablet or laptop, you’ll love the unrivaled flexibility of the ultra-light, ultra-thin Surface Pro 11ᵗʰ Edition. Also, these Copilot+ PCs are specialized for AI and designed to manage trillions of operations per second, so go ahead and unlock your new superpower.

Wi-Fi 7 not only means faster internet, but also ensures a smoother, more reliable, and responsive online experience. Compare and contrast the full range of Surface devices to find the right one for your needs and lifestyle.